Using RTI to pursue the matter before the Supreme Court

Background

The appellant had sent some telegram to the Supreme Court of India in which he sought its intervention in a matter of religious dispute. Later he filed an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act seeking the fate of the telegram. The Public Information Officer (PIO) informed him that the said telegram had been received in the Supreme Court and it was under process. The First Appellate Authority (FAA) passed a speaking order and observed that the content of the telegram did not justify any response under the right to information within 48 hours it being not a matter of life or liberty.

Proceedings

During the hearing before the Central Information Commission (CIC), the respondents submitted that the said telegram had been treated as a petition and had been sent to the relevant division in the Supreme Court dealing with public interest litigations. It was eventually filed, after advising the petitioner to seek legal remedy in accordance with law. The Supreme Court had taken no other action on the telegram except advising the petitioner in the manner stated above.

View of CIC

The Central Information Commission (CIC) held that the response of the PIO and the findings of the FAA were entirely in order.  The Commission rejected the appeal stating that it has no merit.

Citation: Mr. Sultanbhai Babubhai Kajani v. Supreme Court of India, in File No.CIC/SM/A/2011/001868